Newspaper front pages declare, “GLOOM” and “WAR”. The Kid Who Would Be King opens with its feet firmly planted in reality - no fantasy here. These headlines accurately trumpet the global mood, one which permeates an out of the way London middle school as well. The bits and pieces of news anchor voiceover we pick up talk of dictators and strongmen and the feeling of inevitability it will all continue to get steadily worse. These are the times for evil to awaken and rise. King Arthur and his knights of the roundtable faced them some one thousand years ago and it’s up to an infighting, jaded group of 12 year-olds to protect the world from supernatural misery and enslavement once again…but first, they must hide Excalibur from mum and get their homework done.

Alex (Louis Ashbourne Serkis, Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle) wants to do the right thing, but the right thing usually involves a beating from a bully and compounded pain and suffering from school administrators and parents who just don’t understand. From the psychopathic bully, Lance (Tom Taylor, The Dark Tower), it’s, “Don’t be a hero, I’m the king around here.” From the school principal, it’s, “The world is not going to change; it’s you who has to change.” An authority figure tells Alex to wise up, put his head down, and lower expectations. No wonder there is an immortal witch stirring underground feeding off the world’s despair and there are nightly visits from ironclad zombie knights. ​

Stumbling upon Excalibur and removing the fabled sword from the stone, it is only after a quick Google Translate that Alex first suspects one of the world’s most famous myths may contain more truth than first imagined. The second indication is the arrival of the strangest pre-teen anyone has ever laid eyes on, and to Alex’s mortification, the newbie takes a shine to him, ensuring any hint of social standing Alex once enjoyed, will disappear. This is Merlin (Angus Imrie). There are a few slapstick bits as Merlin attempts to adapt to modern times and technology, but the film’s most enjoyable character truly brings the audience to life when he attempts to get the kids to act as a team and employs some fancy and whirring hand movements to compel others to carry out actions and even multiply metal objects.

Merlin explains the chivalric code. It’s not enough to be powerful or adept at sword fighting. One must follow the code to smite evil, not defeat it in hand-to-hand combat. Getting Alex and his version of knights to agree, act morally upright, and rely on another appears nigh impossible, especially since Lance the bully is member of the cavalcade. The evil Morgana (Rebecca Ferguson, Mission: Impossible - Fallout), who King Arthur imprisoned all those centuries ago, grows stronger by the day delighting in the state of world affairs. “They are divided and leaderless.” So are the kids.

Yet, only the kids understand the situation’s gravity. In a long line of kid’s adventure films, think The Goonies and Home Alone, parents just don’t get it. Alex’s mom thinks Excalibur is a dangerous toy while tourists at Tintagel believe they are lucky to witness medieval role-play when it actually the kids learning to trust and move as one. Nobody will believe the legends are true and certainly not from a pack of pubescent misfits; therefore, the gang must take matters into their own hands and face the evil themselves. ​

Directed by Joe Cornish, whose first film, Attack the Block, was as enjoyable as it was unique, succeeds in the tricky genre of young adult swashbuckler. The Kid Who Would Be King does not pander to youngsters, does not try and sell them toys, nor does it operate over their heads. Its messages of chivalry, standing up for what’s right even when evil stares you in the face, and implying these simple actions may help pull the world out of its funk are properly crafted and seen through to the end. When Merlin wants to deliver a line with a bit of extra smash, he morphs into old Merlin (Patrick Stewart, Logan). This is unnecessary. Angus Imrie operates quite well as young Merlin with no need for backup. The kids’ earnestness and lingering hint of naiveté will not connect with contemporary high schoolers and the subject matter is a bit too advanced for the Kindergarten set. However, your third to fifth graders are in for a treat, and don’t worry parents, Merlin has a couple of laughs just for you.